An Attitude of Gratitude + 50 Things I am Grateful for

Earlier this year when I was in a total slump I bit the bullet and made an appointment with a counsellor. While there I received a metaphorical slap in the face. My counsellor told me that I should try adopting “an attitude of gratitude” by listing five things I am grateful for each morning.

For some reason, possibly because I was in such a deep pit of anxiety and self-pity, I instantly internally rejected what she was saying all the while I nodded my head and said things like “that sounds like a good idea. I think I’ll try it.” In my defence I did try it by keeping a gratitude jar on my desk at work, but I didn’t really commit to it. I probably put a grand total of 5 folded up post-it notes in the jar over a total of 3 months and chalked it up as something that just didn’t work for me.

Since starting a new job and emerging into a space of greater happiness I started thinking more and more about adopting an attitude of gratitude and what it actually means.

What are the Benefits of Gratitude?

Over recent years a lot of research has been conducted into the benefits of expressing gratitude on our social, emotional and physical health. Overall, research has found that people who regularly express gratitude and more likely to experience fewer illnesses, aches and pains and are more likely to engage in activities that promote their health such as regular exercise and eating healthy foods. They are also likely to experience a greater sense of optimism and self-esteem, and develop deeper social connections. This all makes sense if you subscribe to the idea that you get what you give.

But the thing with adopting an attitude of gratitude is that it can be really hard when you first start out. So here is a list of 50 things I am grateful for today that might inspire you to make your own list.

1. Sitting in the sun on a warm winter’s day
2. Videos on social media about cute dogs/cats/other animals
3. The smell of brewing coffee
4. Chocolate
5. Head massages
6. Manicures that make you feel like the bomb
7. Video streaming services
8. Fluffy pillows and warm quilts
9. Friends
10. Fresh fruit
11. Access to a pool on a hot summer’s day
12. Access to the internet
13. Accessible, safe drinking water
14. A warm meal for dinner
15. Sunrises and sunsets
16. Music to fit my every mood
17. Gluten free muffin mix
18. Books – at the library, at home and on Kindle
19. My Nintendo DS (and Animal Crossing)
20. Looking back through holiday memories
21. Board games!
22. Access to a gym membership
23. Procedures that make it easier to take a genuine sick day
24. Access to thrift stores
25. My indoor plants which make my living room look alive
26. A comfy couch
27. A roof over my head
28. Starry skies
29. The red dirt of the outback
30. Easy to access hiking trails
31. A loving family
32. Access to affordable health care
33. Having my personal space
34. Cuddles and spooning
35. Being able to clean my house
36. Pillow forts
37. A great group of colleagues
38. Having a working car
39. Travel blogs that inspire
40. Eucalyptus oil
41. My students who even when they drive me crazy, are amazing
42. Earrings
43. Cafes
44. Watching the local wildlife out my window
45. My camel pack
46. A freshly made bed
47. Freshly shaven legs
48. Hearing the words “I love you”
49. The ability to change my life on my own terms
50. Being able to think of 50 things to be grateful for

What are you grateful for?